Chapter Text
Nicky was reading when Booker entered the kitchen. It was clear to Nicky that Booker was up to something by his behaviour.
"So, Book," Nicky said. "Is everything okay?"
"Yeah, yeah," Booker replied. "Don't mind me."
Nicky looked up from his book and watched Booker open every single cupboard in the kitchen, including the freezer and the fridge.
"Tell me," Nicky said. "Are you looking for something? I can maybe help you."
"No, no," Booker replied. "Just concentrate on your exam. How is it going with that?"
"I think I might be able to pass this time," Nicky replied. "Especially after you helped me with the French."
"Just remember to thank me when you win the Nobel Prize in literature," Booker replied. "And I want to go with you to Stockholm when the day comes."
"I promise," Nicky replied. "If it ever happens."
"It will happen," Booker replied. "Trust me on that."
Booker sat down opposite Nicky. Nicky read another half page when he got the feeling Booker was staring at him.
"Okay," Nicky said. "Tell me what it is?"
"Is just that..." Booker replied. "You know it is my birthday this weekend, and I was wondering about my Christmas birthday cake."
"No need for that," Nicky replied. "Andy is baking your Christmas birthday cake this year."
Booker couldn't believe what he just heard.
"Sorry, what?" Booker asked. "Say that again."
"Andy is baking your Christmas birthday cake this year," Nicky repeated. "Since I can't do it because of my arm."
Nicky had broken his arm three weeks ago when he slipped on some black ice. His only luck that day was that he didn't need any operation.
"With all kinds of respect for Andy, but is there one thing she can't do it is to cook and bake," Booker said. "We both know that."
"Have some faith, Booker," Nicky replied. "Andy has been taking a cooking course this year. Most of all, to impress Quynh."
"I know about the cooking course, Nicky," Booker replied. "I was there when Andy decided to show us what she had learned so far."
Back in July, Andy had invited all her friends for dinner. What was supposed to be a roast chicken turned out to be charcoal chicken because Andy forgot all about the chicken in the oven. While eating pizza, all of Andy's friends told her she would get the hang of cooking one day.
"We all were," Nicky replied. "And you can learn a lot in a couple of months."
"Your faith in your fellow humans is impressive, Nicky," Booker replied as he looked at the kitchen aid machine. "What if I act as your arms while you tell me what to do, and we bake the Christmas birthday cake?"
"Maybe another time, Booker," Nicky replied. "I got too much on my own plate with the exam tomorrow. And it doesn't help that my arm is hurting still."
Nicky corrected the sling his arm was in.
"Okay, I'll let Andy be in charge of my Christmas birthday cake this time," Booker said. "But next year.."
"I promise to bake your Christmas birthday cake," Nicky replied. "Not to be rude, but I need to concentrate on the book."
"Don't say anything more," Booker replied. "Can I help you in any way?"
"Maybe provide me dinner now Joe is gone," Nicky replied. "And maybe get me some snacks."
"On it," Booker replied. "Text me if you need anything else."